Winter storm and flood watches issued for Kentucky ahead of impactful winter storm

A winter storm is set to move through Kentucky on Monday night, February 12, marking the first of three storms forecast to impact much of the U.S. this week.

Winter Storm Watches have been issued for northern and central Kentucky ahead of the storm and will remain in effect from Monday evening until Wednesday morning, February 14. Snow accumulation of more than 10 cm (4 inches) is expected in areas under the watch.

Significant rainfall is also expected across the region, prompting the issuance of a Flood Watch from Monday evening until late Tuesday night, February 13. Rainfall amounts of 25 – 50 mm (1 – 2 inches) are forecast. Although not a large amount, when combined with last week’s rainfall, these rain totals could lead to flooding in some areas.

River flooding is expected on the Green, Rough, Rolling Fork, Kentucky, and Licking rivers through next week.

The highest likelihood of snow accumulation is expected between the WK and BG Parkways and the Ohio River, with heavy snowfall likely to impact road conditions on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Winter Storm and Flood Watches have been issued from Monday night through Tuesday night for southern Kentucky, where rain is expected to be the primary form of precipitation.

Heavy wet snow accumulations of up to 10 cm (4 inches) are expected in southern Kentucky due to a mix of snow and rain in the watch areas with heavy rain being likely to cause floods in the watch areas.

As this system moves east, the focus will shift to a developing coastal storm expected to intensify off the eastern seaboard midweek. Low pressure will track along the boundary separating Arctic air to the north and milder air to the south, bringing widespread precipitation from the Southeast to the Northeast.

Heavy wet snow is likely across the interior Northeast, with the potential for significant accumulations from the central Appalachians through southern New England. Snowfall rates may reach 2.5 cm (1 inch) per hour, particularly in areas of strong frontogenesis, leading to reduced visibility and hazardous travel conditions.

Closer to the coast, mixed precipitation including sleet and freezing rain is expected, especially in parts of the Mid-Atlantic and southern New England, where temperatures near the surface may hover around freezing. Ice accumulations exceeding 6 mm (0.25 inches) in localized areas could coincide with gusty winds, increasing the potential for power outages and tree damage.

Further south, a surge of moisture-laden air from the Gulf of Mexico will fuel heavy rain and thunderstorms across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. Some storms could be severe, producing strong wind gusts and isolated tornadoes, particularly in the Carolinas and Georgia.

Additionally, prolonged moderate to heavy rainfall may lead to flooding concerns in low-lying and urban areas, with rainfall totals exceeding 50 mm (2 inches) in some locations.

By late Wednesday into Thursday, the system will continue moving northeastward, with cold air deepening behind the storm. Snow will likely linger across parts of the Northeast, while blustery conditions develop along the East Coast as the low strengthens offshore. This setup may lead to coastal flooding and high surf impacts, particularly in regions prone to onshore flow and storm surge.

Behind the departing storm, Arctic high pressure will settle over the central and eastern U.S., reinforcing below-average temperatures through the latter half of the week.

Meanwhile, attention will turn to the next potential winter storm, which may take shape across the Plains and Midwest as another disturbance emerges from the Rockies late in the week.

References:

¹ Short Range Forecast Discussion – NWS/WPC – Issued at 03:02 EST on Monday, February 10, 2025

Rishav Kothari

I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.

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